Thursday, 10 May 2012

Ascocenda

× Ascocenda, abbreviated as Ascda in the horticultural trade, is a man-made hybrid orchid genus resulting from a cross between Ascocentrum and Vanda (Asctm × V). It was first described in Orchid Rev. 57: 172 (1949).

× Ascocenda species are common in cultivation with numerous cultivars and often combine the large flower size of the Vanda parents with the color and compactness of the Ascocentrum parents.

Most find their origin in Thailand, Myanmar, India and the Philippines.

They are evergreen compact epiphytes with an uprigh, narrow, oviform leaves. The inflorescence is an axillary cluster with 6 to 8 open flowers. They bloom twice or sometimes three times a year with long lasting flowers. The flowers are brightly colored, often overlaid with contrasting colors.